Belfast Taxi Bus Lane Trial: Data Awaited

0:00On April 18, Belfast City Center bus lanes opened up to more taxis back in December 2024, letting Class A and Class C vehicles like, private hires and ubers join in. Before that, only black cabs and accessible taxis could use them. The Department for Infrastructure promised to track the impacts right away, but they've admitted no data has been gathered yet, even after extending the, trial until September. This all kicked off amid traffic chaos from Grand Central Station roadworks last year. Officials said they monitored journey times, speeds, volumes, and safety to shape future rules, but a recent freedom of information request confirmed. Zilch so far. They're prepping a consultant-led review now that arrangements are falling into place. Folks are fired up on both sides. Alliance MLA. Peter McRennelts calls it baffling, saying, taxi slow buses, her public transport, and undermine green options. Cycling groups like Walkwheel Cycle Trust and Belfast Cycle Campaign blasted as superficial,

1:02warning it ramps up wrists for bike riders and reverses, congestion fixes, taxi drivers see a different, with one black cab that arguing all pros except maybe ubers belong there since they're key to the transport mix, and drive sharp. A public consultation launched in March invites feedback from anyone affected. As the trial rolls on, expect that data drops soon to settle the debate on whether more taxi speed things up, or gum up sustainable streets for, everyone else.